Miners during the Gold Rush were not always yelling Eureka! It was downright hard work which was more times than not unsuccessful. While some men became successful merchants and "mined the miners" -- hiking up prices of common goods because demand was so high others found success in unconventional ways. Old Put arrived in California via an overland trip early in the Gold Rush, possibly around 1850. He tried his luck in the goldfields of the Sierra Nevada's but was more-or-less unsuccessful. Adopting the pseudonym of "Old Put" he began traveling the mining towns as a composer/minstrel. He achieved success quickly because he would adopt well known tunes and change the lyrics to reflect whathe witnessed among the mining towns. He formed a company of minstrels called The Sierra Nevada Rangers and received payment in the form of gold dust. In 1855 Old Put published the first of two books. Put's Original California Songster featured two-dozen of his songs as well as short quips and passages. His second book Put's California Golden Songster was published in 1858 and featured over 30 more of his works.
These songs reflect a very important time in California's history -- a time of great success and utter failure, of devastation and construction, of kind acts and greedy deeds. While the songs were "originally commenced to relieve the tedium of a lonely cabin life" Old Put has portrayed "Life in California at a time when the restraints of society had to some extend become released" (Golden, preface).
p.s. -- to the 49ers and the following onslaught of argonauts (gold miners), the phrase "Seeing the Elephant" meant going to the goldfields. In encompassed the cost of the endeavor - the expenses incurred to get there and leaving their family behind. It also symbolized all of the possibilities one could encounter on their journey to California. Above all, it represented the unequaled adventure every argonaut would get just making the trip.
The lyrics are the original printed versions and might contain obnoxious comments, outrageous remarks, derogatory phrases, and, in most cases, improper English. The Gold Rush took place during an era of time where there were distinct classifications of rank on the social ladder based on skin color, nationality, religion, etc. These lyrics are included for historical accuracy and do not reflect the opinions of Groundspeak, us, or any sane person.
Sources:
Silber, Irwin - ed. "Coming Around the Horn." Songs of the American West. 1st ed. N.p.: Dover Publications, 2012. 27-29. Print.
Stone, John A. Put's Golden Songster: Containing the Largest and Most Popular Collection of California Songs Ever Published. San Francisco: D. E. Appleton &, 1858. Print.
Stone, John A. Put's Original California Songster: Containing the Largest and Most Popular Collection of California Songs Ever Published. San Francisco: D. E. Appleton &, 1855. Print.
You Who Don't Believe It
[air: "Blue-tail Fly"]
There is no land upon the earth,
Contains the same amount of worth;
And he that could not here reside,
Had ought to freeze the other side!
CHORUS
You who don't believe it,
You who don't believe it,
You who don't believe it,
Come yourselves and see!
We've got more gold than all the world,
A flag that wins whene'er unfurled,
And smarter men to help us through,
Than England, France or Mexico.
CHORUS
We've smarter ships than Johnny Bull,
Larger sheep with finer wool;
A prison too! you cannot fail
To throw a Bull through by the tail.
CHORUS
We raise the largest cabbage heads,
Got more and better feather beds;
Of everything we've got the best,
An thieves until you cannot rest.
CHORUS
All ruffianism now is o'er,
The country's safer than before;
Our cities keep the rowdies straight,
Or send them through the Golden Gate.
CHORUS
We've got the highest mountains here,
Taller trees and faster deer,
And travel more, at higher rates,
Than people in the Eastern States.
CHORUS
We've got the smartest river boats,
And, ten to one, old whiskey bloats;
We're blest with very heavy fogs,
And any amount of poodle dogs!
CHORUS
We've got a few unmarried g'hals,
Railroads, ditches and canals;
Although we did repudiate,
A joke 'twas only to create.
CHORUS
To one and all, both young and old,
You're welcome to the land of gold;
So come along, be not afraid,
We guarantee you all well paid!
CHORUS
Path is on a busy street, please exercise caution when going for the caches. There is NOparking along the route. Best to walk or use your bike.